David Nazarian, 1982 CSUN graduate, gives university $10 million, aims to raise $15 million more

David Nazarian speaks during the March 27, 2914 reception honoring his gift and welcoming him to the new David Nazarian College of Business and Economics at California State University Northridge. (Photo courtesy CSUN)

California State University Northridge President Dianne F. Harrison, left, David Nazarian and his wife Angella attend the March 27, 2014 reception honoring Nazarian's gift and welcoming him to the new David Nazarian College of Business and Economics at California State University Northridge. (Photo courtesy CSUN)

NORTHRIDGE>> It wasn’t enough for Los Angeles businessman David Nazarian to give $10 million to Cal State Northridge. He also stepped up to head a campaign to raise another $15 million for his alma mater.

For his largesse, the California State University Board of Trustees announced Thursday it would name a vaunted business college at CSUN in his honor.

“While investing in companies can change lives and improve our economy, nothing is more impactful and important than access to quality education and mentoring,” said Nazarian, 52, of Los Angeles, in a statement following a campus ceremony on his behalf. “This is why I consider this to be the most significant investment of my career.”

During the morning reception at the newly named David Nazarian College of Business and Economics, CSUN President Dianne F. Harrison and Kenneth Lord, dean of the business college, hailed the enormous gift from one of their grads.

Nazarian, a graduate from the Class of ’82, had majored in business administration. He went on to earn a fortune in wireless communications that ultimately became part of Qualcomm Inc. The native of Iran went on to found Nimes Capital, serving as its CEO, and has been a major philanthropist in Los Angeles.

He has pledged a $10 million gift to the university, campus officials said, and will lead a $15 million fundraising drive for his alma mater.

“David Nazarian is an industry-leading businessman and philanthropist whose integrity and vision are second to none,” Harrison said. “We are so proud of his accomplishments and impact both on our city and our region.”

The $25 million in gifts will go toward funding the business school — considered among the top 10 largest undergraduate business programs in the U.S. Officials said they hope to use it to boost programs such as entrepreneurship and promoting the success of women in business.

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Serving more than 6,000 undergraduate majors with noted MBA and other post-graduate business programs, the CSUN business college is ranked among the top 5 percent of global business schools.

It also ranked among the best part-time MBA programs for three years running by U.S. News and World Report, while being listed seven years among the Best Business Schools by Princeton Review.

“This historic gift and the corresponding fundraising initiative will enable CSUN to be a leader in delivering world-class business education to students throughout Southern California,” Lord said.